Adam dutka



A. DUTKA.

MARINE SIGNAL. APPLlcAnoN FILED 011.24. 1919.

1,318,650. Patented 001. 14,1919.

,p DUTKA, or` srr'roN, MANITOBA, CANADA.

u MARINE SIGNAL.

.l Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented oct. 14, 1919.

Application mea Apri124, 1919. serial No. 292,357.

To all whom 'it may concern: a

Be it known that I, ADAM Dorine, a `subject of the King of England, residing at Sifton, inthe Province of Manitoba Dominion of Canada, have invented certain new andv .useful Improvements in Marine Signals, of 'which the following is a specification.

lThis invention relates to lsignalsand has special reference to a signal for use at sea to indicate the location of sunken ships, and for such other purposes as may kbe found convenient through experience.

One important object of the invention is to provide an improved form of reflecting buoy for use in connection with signals of this description.

A second important object of the invention is to provide an improved form of reflecting signal which, through the action of the waves, will set up a scintillation of the reflected light from the sun or a search light, the reflector being rotated through the wave action.

A third important object 0f the invention is the provision of an improved form of buoy of this description adapted for use with a novel arrangement of sea anchor, the sea anchor maintaining the buoy in substantially fixed relation to the undisturbed operation of the water so that the wave action will properly affect the device, the sea anchor also serving to keep the device practicallyfstationary so. far as movement laterally to any extent is concerned.

lith the above and other objects in View, as will be hereinafter apparent the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and specifically claimed. 'f

In the accompanying drawing, like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and

Figure 1 1s a side elevation of one preferred form of the device.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. y

Fig. is a side elevation of a modified form of the device.

In the form of the device shown in Fig.

' 1 the body of the float consists of an ovoid member 10 of glass'or other like-transparent material and the interior of this member is coated as at 11"with silver or other reflecting material. The outside of the ovoid is covered with a multiplicity of aculeations 12 here shown as in the form of square pyramids although it may be obvious` that these aculeations may be of other forms. Screwed on the' lower end of the body 10 is a hollow stem 13 forming a ballast chamber and this chamber, if necessary, may be filled to any desired extent with water, sand, lead or the like. At the lower end of this stem 13 there is mounted a Swivel 14 to which is connected a chain 15. The lower end of this chain is connected to an eye 16 carried by a sea anchor which consists of a pair of vertical plates 17 intersecting each other at right angles and preferably square in outline. The seaanchor is also provided with a horizontal plate 18 intersecting the plates 17 at right angles and preferably circular in contour. Thus the sea anchor is formed of three metallic plates intersecting at a common center with each plate at right angles to the remaining plates. Extending spirally around the tubular stem 13 is a pair .of fins 19.

In the form shown in Fig. 4 the reflector takes the shape of a smooth hollow ovoid body 20 having a slight projection 21 at its lower end for the purpose of receiving sufhcient ballast to hold the ovoid upright. Spiral blades or fins 22 extend around this portion 21 and at its lower end the portion 21 is provided with a swivel 23 to which is connected a chain 211 the lower end of which is connected to a sea anchor shown in general at 25 and corresponding in all respects to the sea anchor shown in Fig. 1. In either of these forms it will be noted that the horizontal plate 18 holds the device fromtoo much vertical movement, thel sea anchor being located sufficiently below the surface to be undisturbed by the wave action, while the plates 17 prevent driving of the device to a great extent. Now, when this device is dropped overboard, as from a sinking ship, it will float on top of the water and due to the action of the waves it will be rotated first in one direction and then the other. In the day time the striking of the sun on the body, will, especially in the case of the device as shown in Fig. 1, produce a brilliant scintilla-y tion so as to quickly attract the attention of any ship that may be in the vicinity.

rlhere has thus been provided a simple and eilicient device of the kind'described and for the purpose speciiied.

Itis obvious that many minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material principles thereof. It is not therefore desired to coniine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described lbut it is wished to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

lV hat is claimed is V l. A Hoating signal including` a hollow re- Hector, means operative through rising` and falling oi the reiector in the water to rotate Copies of this patent may be obtained for ive cents each, by addressing the reflector, a chain connected to the lower end of theloat, and a sea anchor connected to the lower end of the chain.

2. A floating signal comprising a hollow aculeated ovoidV reflector, a hollow stem fixed on the lower end of the reflector and constituting a ballast chamber to hold the reflector upright, a plurality of blades wound spirally about said stem, a swivel at the lower end of the stem, a chain depending,` from the swivel, and a Sea anchor fixed to the lower end of the Chain and consisting of met-allie sheets arranged in three planes intersectirN at a common center, each of said plates intersecting` the remaining plates at rinht angles.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ADAM DUTKA.

the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

